Comparison Of Exekias: Achilles And Ajax Playing A Games

The first piece in this comparison is Exekias: Achilles and Ajax Playing A Game (Fig. 1) is a ceramic amphora depicting the tale of Greek heroes, Achilles, and Ajax playing a game while having a moment of relaxation during the Trojan War dating from 540-530 B.C. The artist of this piece, Exekias, is a well-renowned potter and painter who developed the black-figure painting technique, and it is located in the Gregorian Etruscan section of the Vatican Museum, Rome. Another technique created was the red-figure technique, which is the opposite of the black-figure, however, the black figure allowed for more of a contrast and seen as having more complexity.
The second piece in this comparison is another ceramic amphora a Terracotta Hydria (Water Jar) (Fig. 2) depicting women at a fountain house collecting water with jugs on top of their heads, the original artist is not known. The amphora is currently displayed at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 155, dating around 510-500 B.C. in the same style period and purpose of the Exekias amphora. Because both pieces of artwork are made with ceramics and

During the time the water jar was created there were changes brought on by Peisistrato, the ruler, and the assistance his sons made improvements on the water systems and built new public water fountains. The story behind this water jar does not have an extended narrative like Achilles and Ajax, the water jar narrative takes its story from real life. Personally, I found it to be intriguing since potters and painters are stepping away from traditional painting and are heading into a new direction. It goes along with the Art History text stating the Archaic period was “a time of great new achievement in Greece” (105). And Greece was filled with much achievement going from their art to architectural styles that generally allowed for them to have the most developing people system all